Jackie Baillie MSP has revealed that over 42,000 people waited too long at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde A&E departments in 2018.

Data published by ISD Scotland reveals that 42,834 people waited for more than 4 hours at Accident and Emergency last year, with 3,394 people waiting over 8 hours and 303 over 12 hours.

These figures represent an 11.7% increase on 2017.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has failed to meet a number of key health targets, including cancer treatment times, diagnostic testing times and waiting times at A&E. The MSP has called for additional resources and better planning as the true impact of the staffing crisis hits the health service.

Jackie said:

“Patients and staff in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde deserve better than this.

“Scottish Labour has been concerned about the pressures on our health board for some time. NHS staff continue to face challenges in delivering their service due to the ongoing SNP mismanagement of our NHS.

“Our hard-working NHS staff need the support and resources from the Scottish Government to enable them to deliver for patients.

“A&E waiting time failures are yet another example of how patients are being let down. This Scottish Government must prioritise our NHS to improve waiting times and ensure that people are given the treatment that they need.”

ENDS